The Soсiety for proteсtion of сhildren of African origin “FATIMA” is a non-profit, non- governmental organisation, founded on the lst of June 1999, under thе initiative оf Мoldavian women and Afriсan immigrants (Nr of registration: 1009 03/06/1999 Ministry of Justiсe Moldova). The mission of FATIМA is to assist soсially vulnегable сhildren аnd singlе parеnts; to reintegrate the family and to help in soсial intеgration; to help promotе tolerancе and friendship through eduсation, spоrt and intеraсtion. This mission is achievеd through the provision of moral, psychologiсal, legal аnd humanitarian assistanсe to thе soсially vulnегable children in Мoldovа, rеgаrdless of thеir nationality, raсe, рolitiсal or religious beliеfs.

First, FATIМA tаrgetеd Afriсan descent сhildren from miхed marriages, most of whiсh werе abаndoned by onе or both parеnts. The lives of most of thеse сhildren wеre dеteriorating daily duе to lack оf education, parental аffeсfion аnd also bесause of the psyсho-soсial pressurе rеsulting from fееlings of being abandoned and marginalisеd in soсiеty. It was decided to сreate an organisation that will takе сarе of suсh children and promote their reintegration into Мoldovаn soсiеty and give them a chаnce to build their future. Over the yeaгs, FATIМA has еxtеndеd its aсtivitiеs to all needy сhildren in Мoldova.

Thus, hundrеds of despеrate сhildrеn of all bасkgrounds and single mothеrs have bеnefited from various seгviсеs of FATIМA. Cuгrеntly thе organizаtion is tаking care of 25 childrеn agеd 1-17 yеars and young pеoplе aged from 20 and older. The main aсtivities аrе eduсational, сultural, humanitarian and family integration aсtivitiеs. To aсhieve thesе goals, the FATIMA сentre was сrеated in 2000 and was renovatеd by thе Swiss Agenсy for Devеlopmеnt and Coорeration. Herе, we provide for сhildren infоrmal eduсation likе сomputer training еxtra languagе courses and freе intеrnet aссess. This faсility is used for trainings and sеminars for сhildrеn аnd pаrents, while sеrving as a сommunity centre tо promotе positive interaсtions for families and сhildrеn.

For mоre infоrmation on the aсtivitirs of the organization inсluding our сultural heritagе programmes ard family rеunifiсation projeсt, plеase visit the following sitе: www.fatima-md.org.

The gеnerous grants from intеrnational organizafions and сommunity support through voluntаry donations have sustainеd the aсtivities of FATIМA at its сurrеntly rеnted сentre in Risсanovсa for ovеr a deсadе. Unfortunatеly, the rеntal fеes аnd eхрensеs havе always beеn a heavy burden for our organisation and its mеmbегs, who аre mostly, people with low inсоmеs. Thanks to donors wе сould settle thesе problеms. Unfortunatеly, during the lаst two years, our organisation has lost kеy sponsorship duе to thе ongoing world eсonomiс сrisis. Wе are now unablе to indерendently сovеr all the сhаrges at our сurrennt fасility or maintain the imрortаnt seпiсes that we сuгrеntly offer the сommunity.

We аrе looking urgently for 2500 Euros to сovеr annual lеase, еlесtriсity, telephоnе, utilitiеs and maintenanсe costs, to сontinuе our activitiеs. othеrwisе we will bе еxрellеd from our сеntre that symbolisеs the unity and meeting рoint for thе сommunity

Wе kindly ask you, any person or organization to come up with donation small or largе to save our cеntre. Your соntribution will rесeive reсognition on our wеbsite www.fatima-md.org and we will updatе about upсoming асtivities and initiativеs.

]]>Moldovarious DVD-Rom Out Now – Expect the Unexpected!http://www.moldovarious.com/index.php/2013/01/04/moldovarious-dvd-rom-out-now-expect-the-unexpected/
Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:15:24 +0000http://www.moldovarious.com/wp/index.php/2013/01/04/moldovarious-dvd-rom-out-now-expect-the-unexpected/Continue reading "Moldovarious DVD-Rom Out Now – Expect the Unexpected!"]]>‘Europe’s poorest country’, ‘Renegade province Transdniestria’, ‘Arms smuggling’ and ‘Human trafficking’ are obviously the only phrases, which hit the headlines of continental newspapers when it comes to the Republic of Moldova.

What about Moldova’s political and economic development? How do Transdniestrians celebrate their ‘independence day’? Where exactly is Gagauzia and what traditions continue to be cultivated there? How does Moldovan wine taste? Which cultural heritage has this rather unknown part of the world to offer?

Two Austrians, Patrick Griesser and Thomas Gassler, did their research in the Republic of Moldova, Transdniestria and the Autonomous Territorial Gagauzia.

This didactical and interactive DVD for Windows & Mac covers all the impressions, findings and results of their field research. Detailed insights in political, social, cultural and economic issues of Europe’s ‘hidden corner’ are given to you with the help of an easy-to-use menu.

Six steps to get moldovanised!

Get your first impressions about the Republic of Moldova, Transdniestria and the Autonomous Territorial Unit Gagauzia. Butterflies will guide you throught the audiovisual experience

The ‘Moldovarious – ABC’ explains basics, specialities and curiosities of the country and its regions.

What does life look like in this part of Europe? What are the feelings, fears and hopes of the people living there? Locals open their minds and let their hearts speak.

Deepen your knowledge by getting further first hand information of the Republic of Moldova, Transdniestria and Gagauzia.

Get more into detail! The photo gallery will lead you even to the most hidden parts of the country.

Get behind the scenes of Moldovarious and enjoy the bonus material.

Now it’s time to start your journey! Get your Moldovarious DVD-Rom for Euro 10,- (plus packaging) by ordering it here.

]]>Keep Smiling!http://www.moldovarious.com/index.php/2012/10/23/keep-smiling/
Tue, 23 Oct 2012 21:29:20 +0000http://www.moldovarious.com/wp/index.php/2012/10/23/keep-smiling/Continue reading "Keep Smiling!"]]>Have you ever been to the Republic of Molvanîa – the country embedded between Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia, with its capital Lutenblag, its unique language Molvanian with four genders, its world famous beetroot but a country still untouched by modern dentistry? No!?!

Well, don’t mind, as this is the story of the Republic of Moldova – embedded between Ukraine and Romania, its capital Chisinau, the factual inexistent language Moldovan, its world famous wine and the land where modern dentistry is all around! Modern dentistry in Moldova?

Yes, you got it right! When you walk along the streets of Chisinau you can’t miss the countless “Stomatologie” all around. A smile on a billboard, white and shining teeth on illuminated boards and pictures of the tools of the dentists on the walls. Moldovarious.com did not hesitate and was eager to test the quality of one of the most prestigious dentists in town: the VIP Dent!

Nice price, international standard

We asked the busy lady at the entrance in her white coat about a tooth whitening which set us back 500 Lei that is one third of the price you would pay in most of the European countries. Dr. Ion Palescu, the chief himself invited us to his office. This part was not about the teeth whitening itself but more a promotion of his services. “We are equipped with the most modern technology and all of our specialists working here have international experience. We have customers from all over Europe: Italy, Turkey, Israel, Austria and Germany.” Well, sounds great! So off we go and let’s see if VIP Dent can keep their promises.

Oleg the young dentist explains that he learned his profession not only in Moldova but also in Vienna. Thus he speaks a couple of words in German. Nevertheless it is hard to keep up the conversation at this stage as he and his two handsome assistants are already in full course of his work and treating my teeth by brushing it with salt. After only 15 minutes the job is done and obviously proud of his work he hands a mirror over. White and shining teeth all around! All right, guys. Well done! That was a good job to European standards. VIP Dent was so kind and gave the permission to take some snapshots of our visit.

]]>“Mama Illegal”http://www.moldovarious.com/index.php/2012/05/22/qmama-illegalq/
Tue, 22 May 2012 14:54:01 +0000http://www.moldovarious.com/wp/index.php/2012/05/22/qmama-illegalq/Continue reading "“Mama Illegal”"]]>Going to the One World in Brussels Film Festival is not just about seeing movies! One World in Brussels hosts a variety of Panel Discussions that are lively and interesting. The International Human Rights Film Festival provides an important opportunity for documentary films to be seen by a number of policy makers and power brokers that are in a position to help bring about change. It is also a chance for film lovers, students and engaged citizens to be inspired by the powerful stories of individuals and societies fighting for a more just world. One of the movies presented at the Film Festival was “Mama Illegal”, a documentary about three Moldovan Women who seek work and happiness in Italy and Austria. More than 250 people found their way to the Goethe Institute in Brussels. The screening of the breathtaking documentary was followed by a lively discussion with the director of the movie Ed Moschitz, Victoria Pirker from Human Rights Without Frontiers and Patrick Griesser, editor of Moldovarious.

The Festival

Established in 1999 by Czech NGO People in Need, One World is today the largest and one of the most important human rights film festivals in the world. One World in Brussels presented 20 of the best documentaries from the 13th edition of One World in Prague. One World in Brussels (17 – 26 May 2011) is held under the auspices of Jerzy Buzek, the President of the European Parliament, Václav Havel, the former President of the Czech Republic and Ambassador Milena Vicenová, the Permanent Representative of the Czech Rep to the Eurpean Union. The festival is organised by People in Need, in collaboration with the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU, the Czech Centre, the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts, the Human Rights and Democracy Network, the permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU, the Goethe Institute and the European Parliament, and in and in partnership with Movies that Matter, Festival des Libertés and Watch Docs.

The Movie

The documentary Mama Illegal tells the story of three women who seek work and happiness in Austria and Italy. Hired as cleaners, they dream of a better life and worry about being deported back to their homeland, while the children they left behind are raised by distant relatives. As a result, an entire generation of modern-day economic orphans is growing up in Moldovan villages. Moreover, as the film shows, some women are frequently willing to accept the complete alienation of their children for the sake of a better life in Western Europe. The soundtrack for the film, which excellently illustrates the causes and effects of economic migration, features music by the popular Moldovan group Zdob si Zdub.

According to many people who took part at the Film Festival it is no wonder that “Mama Illegal” has been selected the winning film of One World Brussels 2012!

You can see some Impressions of the screening and the discussion at the Goethe Institute in Brussels here.

]]>“We bring youth from the left and right bank together”http://www.moldovarious.com/index.php/2012/01/28/qwe-bring-youth-from-the-left-and-right-bank-togetherq/
Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:36:03 +0000http://www.moldovarious.com/wp/index.php/2012/01/28/qwe-bring-youth-from-the-left-and-right-bank-togetherq/Continue reading "“We bring youth from the left and right bank together”"]]>Moldovarious.com had a coffee and a nice chat with Vitalie Tichim who runs the NGO Intercultural Social Center (CSI). The goal of CSI is to bring young people from the left and the right bank of the Dniester together and organises international youth exchanges in France, Germany and in Moldova. Moldovarious.com shares the agenda of CSI and supports the project both morally and financially.

Moldovarious: Vasilii, what are the objectives of your NGO?

Vitalie: To help young people in Moldova in general, physical and cultural education. We believe in rehabilitation of the society of our young state, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the integration of young people from the right and left banks of the Dniester. One of the main objectives of CSI is directed on integrating young people from Moldova that belong to different language groups.

Moldovarious: Can you tell us more about your current projects?

Vitalie: We organise annual cultural youth exchanges between youngsters of the Republic of Moldova and European Union countries. “Insel der Chancen” (“Isle of chances”), Open Air KVN teams, The Festival of Humour and Theatrical Creativity, Outdoor Summer Seminar School of KVN 2011 – Crimea, just to name a few.

Moldovarious: What are the specifics of your work?

Vitalie: Due to the specific economic and socio-political situation in Moldova, social non-governmental youth organisations have to rely exclusively on their own strength and organisational capacity. The challenge is to run a large, international project with a minimum of resources.

Moldovarious: What are your dreams for the future?

Vitalie: My dream is to create the most productive and comfortable cooperation with youth of the European Union. To create a unique and specific project that would be interesting to study and copy by European non-governmental organisations and society at large. We want to prove that Moldova can and deserves to be a full member of the European family. We tend to find a name that would be associated with a high-quality, honest and useful work for modern society.

We already have a project that deserves special attention: the open summer seminar KVN school in Crimea. This is a unique combination of physical, intellectual and moral aspects in a team building game. This summer, the project participants were looking forward to mastering classes on humour and KVN, adventure trips in the reserve zone of the national park of Yalta, climbing the Mount Roman-Kosh, collective heats up the twin-rocks Adalary, and of course the incredible beauty of the sea of the southern coast of Crimea. Everything goes under the banner of humour on a makeshift stage on the beach on the seafront of Yalta, in the dining room and at the disco.

Moldovarious: Where do you see the differences between young people in Moldova, France and Germany?

Vitalie: The conditions of young people in Moldova gradually worsens. This is caused by the state’s economic problems. According to surveys, the most impressive youth problems refer to: unemployment, high prices, a low income, uncertainty about the future, high crime in society, health problems, access to education and its quality In terms of finding a job or housing, young people in France also face difficulties. The difference is that in France young people are better protected by the state, as a result they can travel or study longer Youth in Germany is as well protected by the state. We learnt that in comparison to the Republic of Moldova, young people in Germany alos often face problems that are mostly related to discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion and cultural differences of young immigrants or refugees. This problem also partially occurs in France.

Moldovarious: When and where do the youngsters meet the next time?

Vitalie: In the frame of this project, the next and last meeting will take place in Moldova in 2012. This time, the youth of Moldova will try to show the participants from Germany and France cultural and national characteristics of Moldova.

Moldovarious: Thanks a lot for the interview!

Find out more on the website of the NGO CSI. Moldovarious.com will keep our readers updated about the project.

]]>Moldovarious launches new book on the Transdniestrian Issuehttp://www.moldovarious.com/index.php/2012/01/20/moldovarious-launches-new-book-on-the-transdniestrian-issue/
Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:27:25 +0000http://www.moldovarious.com/wp/index.php/2012/01/20/moldovarious-launches-new-book-on-the-transdniestrian-issue/Continue reading "Moldovarious launches new book on the Transdniestrian Issue"]]>After several months of field research on the spot in Transdniestria and Moldova, Moldovarious launches a new book: “The Transdniestrian Issue: geopolitical chess at the crossroad between East and West”

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union a great progress of democratization in the newly independent states began. In several areas minorities established their own political entities, in which Russian policy continued to resist any attempts of change. These secessionist entities do neither exist on any map, nor are they recognized by the international community. One of these problematic areas in the post-Soviet space is the eastern region of the Republic of Moldova, also known as Transdniestria.

The Transdniestrian conflict broke out in the late 1980s. After a short but intense war a ceasefire agreement could be reached, but the conflict still remains unresolved and the atmosphere tense until now.

This book tries to reflect the interesting story of the Transdniestrian Issue from the very beginning until the current situation. The conflict will be explored from different angles to get a deeper and better understanding. The base of the book was a field research on the spot where the author could gain first hand information. By this the book highlights other, till now, rather unknown aspects of the conflict.

The Author:
Patrick Griesser, born in 1982, studied Political Science with a focus on International Relations at the University of Innsbruck. As part of his studies he completed several internships in Eastern Europe. In 2008 he implemented an in-depth research project on the Republic of Moldova, Transdniestria and the Autonomous Territorial Unit Gagauzia.

Whether you are a local or a tourist, it is a fact that you will be impressed by the most imposing und largest underground wine cellar of the world – Cricova! So were we, a small family, willing to discover the most famous treasure of the country. The two hours car trip 60 metres underground, along the wine labyrinths and the guide’s exciting stories about the history and development of the cellar brought us the biggest satisfaction.

Cricova wine cellar, located in the central part of Moldova, in the core of Codru and the town with the same name, just 15 km north of the capital city Chisinau, has its beginning in the 15th century. The mines of Cricova have been used for hundreds of years to dig out, manually, limestone for building the city of Chisinau and its surrounding towns. After the Second World War, the academic Petru Ungureanu came with the brilliant idea and the first experiences of using the 200 km long tunnels as a wine storage. In present 65 km of the roadways are converted into a huge subterranean wine cellar with the most favourable temperature (about +10-12 °C) and ideal humidity throughout the year for the storage of millions of bottles of wine, 1.2 millions of which represent rare wine.

The underground wine city is an amazing labyrinth of subterranean streets, each of which bares the names of the variety of grapes. Would you like to have a ride on the Sauvignon, Cabernet, Aligote or Chardonnay streets? Or probably you want to make a stop on the Champagne Boulevard and learn its own three hundred years old story? Don’t hesitate to make some pictures, too! You will be impressed by the number of wooden barrels, which have the capacity of storage over 40 millions litres of wine.

Becherovka made in 1902

But the most magnificent part of Cricova’s wine city is definitely the immense gallery with its limestone caves, used to store an exceptional wine collection with old and rare wines, giving a unique value to this collection. The two most precious and unique exhibits are one of the 400 bottles of “Jerusalem of Easter” wine, produced as a single badge in 1402 as well as the “Jan Becker” liqueur, produced in the same year, containing unknown ingredients kept secret forever. More than 150 old renowned Europeans brands such as Bourgogne, Mosel, Rein, Tokay, etc., bottled in the first half on the twentieth century do not only represent the gallery’s thesaurus, but also the treasure of Moldova in general. Theoretically, you could take home a bottle of wine from this collection, but only if you would be able to pay about sixty thousands dollars for it. Well, there are also some cheaper samples, for which you could pay the half.

Even the noblest tastes can be satisfied by Cricova’s wine cellar. Do you prefer strong wine brands from Africa, central Asia, the Near East, classical Portuguese collection and rare wine of Georgia, Armenia and Crimea or noble wines of domestic production? You will find everything there! So did the ex-president of Russia Mr. Putin, who after celebrating his 50th birthday in Cricova’s wine cellar bought a notable wine collection and keeps it in the underground gallery. If you want your wine collection to be a part of the gallery, just rent a limestone cave and your name can extend the list of more than 650 names.

Yuri Gagarin would fly to moon for Cricova

Cricova is not only about a subterranean car trip it is also wine tasting and delicious dinner in the charming wine tasting halls. One of them shows on its ceiling the era when present Moldova was under sea. Be prepared to enjoy a couple of different wine varieties and make your own appreciations. At the end of the tour you will be happy to receive a cellar’s present – a few bottles of collection wines.

High officials, scientists and thousand of tourists from more than one hundred countries visit and leave Moldova’s treasure through greatest moments of satisfaction.

The astronaut Yuri Gagarin, who visited the cellar in the 60s, said to have spent two days in Cricova’s labyrinths, promised, “if the Earth will lack metals to print medals for the local wines, I will deliver it from the moon or other planets”.